Paper box



y 1, 1934- R. A. GRoss 1,957,264

' PAPER BOX Filed Aug. 10. 1932 :s S ets-Sheet 1 May 1, 1934.

Filed Aug. 10., H 1932 R. A. GROSS PAPER BOX 3 Sheets-Shet 3 qINVEI QTO R ATTORNEY Patented May 1, 1934 PAPER BOX Ralph A. Gross, Lititz,

Pa., assignor to Simplex Paper Box Corporation, Lititz, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 10,

4 Claims.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which show one embodiment of the invention, selected by me for purposes of illustration, and the said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a knockdown box of relatively strong and rigid construction, formed of paper, cardboard or other suitable material, having an integral cover formed of two plies of the sheet material or stock and so constructed that in the box blank the outer face of the outer cover ply and the inner face of the inner cover ply, as well as the outer faces of the side walls of the box and cover (or in other Words all surfaces of the blank capable of receiving decorations or printing), will be on the same side of the blank, and thus facilitate the simultaneous printing of advertising matter in the form of exterior and interior cover labels and side and end panels, as well as to stiffen the cover and add to the rigidity of the box structure. The cover is also provided on three edges with side walls of two or more plies, which are locked in set up position and fit over the side walls of the box body, which are also of two or more plies, and are similarly locked when in the erected position, and the inner cover section is also provided with an inner box wall section folding upon the inner face of the body side section adjacent to the cover, and adapted to interlock with the inner lateral wall sectionsof the box body at right angles thereto. Certain of the inner lateral wall sections of the body are provided with sections engaging the bottom of the box, which may extend more or less over the bottom, and a supplemental bottom section may be provided thereby, or by a single interior bottom section integral with one of the inner lateral wall sections of the body.

My improved box is made from a blank which is preferably died out in a single piece from suitable sheet material, and is preferably partially folded, and certain parts of the blank are permanently united by gluing or otherwise, to permit the boxes to be shipped fiat, completely manufactured in the knockdown form, so that when it is desired to use a box it can be instantly erected into complete contents receiving position and locked therein, by the operator.

Boxes embodying my invention are particularly desirable for receiving goods such as cigars and other merchandise, intended to be displayed and sold from the original box, in which case an 1932, Serial No. 628,138

interior cover label is both desirable and necessary, as the boxes usually stand open in a show case, and the cover must also be of stiff and rugged construction, as the box is frequently moved and lifted about by means of the cover in open position, in making sales therefrom.

In carrying my invention into effect, I prefer to employ sheet cardboard having one face finished so as to be capable of receiving printing and decorative matter, and this finish is preferably imparted by applying to one face of a body board, a lining of thin finished paper stock, having a surface adapted to receive printing and of tough character, so as to facilitate the bending of scored portions without splitting or producing rough edges. The printing and decoration of some or all of the outer faces of the sides of the box and cover, and the outer and inner faces of the cover can therefore be made by a single passage through the printing or other press, upon the finished surface of the stock. This effects great economy in the manufacture of the box, and the construction of the box itself is so strong and so thoroughly reinforced that it is possible to use lighter grades of stock in its manufacture, for many purposes, than would be otherwise possible.

The cost of manufacture is also reduced by reason of the fact that only one face of the sheet or stock needs to be finished to provide a printing surface, and a second passage through the printing press to print the inside cover is'obviated.-

My invention also comprises certain novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully disclosed and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a plan of the blank, looking upon the outer'or finished surface which receives the printed matter, the portions of which are to be permanently connected together, as by gluing, being indicated in dotted parallel lines, the exterior and interior cover labels being indicated conventionally.

Fig. 2 shows the blank reversed and partially folded, certain of the parts being permanently secured together preparatory to folding the box into its final knockdown form.

Fig. 3 is a plan view representing the appearance of the folded box in the knockdown or flat condition.

Fig. 4 represents a transverse section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, the folded cover side walls being shown in slightly raised position for greater clearness.

Fig. 5 is a similarfsection on line 55 of Fig. 2, the body side walls being shown in slightly raised position for greater clearness.

cover section and body side wall connected therewith in final position, the box being completely formed with the cover open and extending horizontally' therefrom.

Fig. 9 represents a longitudinal sectional view of the completed box with the cover in raised position.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view through the completed box and cover, the-"cover being shown in vertical position in full lines, and in closed position in dotted lines.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, illustrating a slight modification;

Referring to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive, Fig. 1 illustrates the died out and scored blank from which the box is made. This blank is preferably formed in one piece from suitable sheet paper or cardboard stock, although it is within the scope of my invention to form the blank of separate pieces glued or otherwise permanently secured together. On account of the additional expense of manufacture involved in forming portions of the blank separately and gluing them together in exactly the correct positions, it is preferable to form the entire blank from a single piece of stock in the interest of economy of manufacture. The blank comprises the following portions, which are delimited from each other by lines of fold illustrated by scoring, to facilitate the folding of the blank. 1 represents the bottom section of the body of the box, which is of rectangular form and provided with exterior lateral wall sections integral therewith comprising the exterior side wall sections, 2 and 3, and exterior end wall sections, 4 and 5. The blank is preferably provided with corner sections integral with the adjacent side and end sections, and divided by a diagonal score, indicated at 6, into substantially triangular portions, 7 and 3, of which the portions indicated at 7 are integrally connected with the adjacent side sections 2 and 3, while the portions 8 are directly and integrally connected with the adjacent end sections, 4 and 5. Each end section is provided with a substantially coextensive infolding reinforcing section, or interior end wall section, as indicated at 4a and 5a, respectively, and preferably provided at their opposite ends with recessed or inset locking edges, 4b and 5b. The exterior body side wall section, 2, is provided with infolding locking section, indicated at 2a, substantially coextensive therewith and provided at its opposite ends with looking portions adapt-- ed to interlock with the adjacent edges, 4b and 5b, of the interior body end walls. The locking section, 2a, is also preferably, although not necessarily, provided on its exterior edge with a strip, 2b, adapted to engage the inner surface of the body bottom, 1, in the erected position of the box.

One of the exterior body side sections, as 3, is provided with an integral exterior cover section, 10, integral therewith and separated therefrom by a line of fold, indicated as a scored line at 10a. The cover section, 10, is substantially.coextensive with the bottom section, I, and its other three sides are provided with the exterior cover side wall sections, including the cover side wall section, 11, and the cover end wall sections, 12 and At each end of the exterior cover side wall section, 11, I provide a corner section, preferably integral therewith and with the adjacent cover end section, 12 or 13, these corner sections being divided by a diagonal score, indicated at 14, into two substantially triangular portions, 15 and 16, the portions 15, being integral with the adjacent cover side wall section, 11. Each of the exterior cover end wall sections, 12 and 13, is provided with an infolded reinforcing interior cover end wall section, indicated respectively at 12c. and 13a, each of which is provided at the end adjacent to the aforesaid corner portion, 16, with an inset locking edge, indicated respectively at 12b and 13b. The outer edge of the exterior cover side wall section, 11, is provided with an integral parallel and substantially coextensive interior cover side wall section, the opposite ends of which are provided with looking projections, 9b, to engage the edges, 12b and 13b, respectively when the cover side walls are in erected position, it being understood that the section, 17, is to be folded into contact with the inner face of the section, 11; as hereinafter described. The line of fold or score between the sections, 10 and 11, is indicated at 10b, and the line of fold between the sections 11 and 17, is indicated at 11a. Integrally with the outer edge of the section, 1?, and separated therefrom by the score or line of fold, 17a, is an interior cover section, 13, substantially coextensive with the section, 10, and adapted to be folded upon the inner face of section. 10. Integral with the outer edges of section, 18, and separated therefrom by a score or line of fold, 18a, is the interior body side wall, 3a, substantially coextensive with.the exterior body side wall, 3, and adapted to engage the inner face of the latter. The interior body side wall, 3a, is provided at its ends with looking projections, 9a, adapted to interlock with the edges, 4b and 5b, of the interior body end wall sections, la and 5a. The section, 3a, is also provided at its outer edge, separated therefrom by a line or score, 30, with a bottom engaging strip, 3b, corresponding with the strip, 2b. These strips are auxiliary locking strips, the ends of which engage with the end walls of the box to further lock it in the erected position.

I prefer to form the blank illustrated in Fig. 1 and just described from a cardboard, one face of which is given a finish suitable to receive printing, while the other face need not be so -finished as all the printing and decorating cf the box can be applied to one side of the blank. I prefer to employ a cardboard which is lined on its outer facewith a smooth, tough paper, suitable to receive printing, including colored work, and serving a further purpose of facilitating the bending of the various sections of the blank with respect to each other without cracking or showing a rough edge. Obviously the box can be made of any suitable material, but where it is to be printed or decorated the outer surface of the material must be such as to take the ink or color without blurring. As will be clearly apparent from Fig. 1, every surface of the box which under any circumstances it would be desirable or necessary to print or decorate, will be located on the same side of the blank. I have indicated, more or less diagrammatically, an exterior label appearing on the exterior cover section, 10, and

I have also indicated an interior label which will appear on the outer surface of the interior cover section, 18, which is exposed when the cover -of the box is raised, these being the principal parts to receive decorative treatment or printed matter. It will be understood, however, that, the outer surfaces of the exterior body side wall sections, 2 and 3, and body end wall sections, 4 and 5, are on the same side of the blank, as the decorative portions of the sections 10 and 18, so that all may be printed simultaneously at a single impression without turning the blank over which is of great advantage, especially in color work.

After the box blank is died out and scored in the manner indicated in Fig. 1, and as previously described, it is folded into the knockdown position and glued or otherwise permanently secured at certain points hereinafter indicated, so that it is in condition for shipment flat, and can be instantly erected and locked in erected position when desired. The particular means of securing certain portions of the blank together is preferably glue or other suitable adhesive, but I do not limit myself to this particular means, nor to any particular type of securing means, or to any particular manner of applying the securing means. However, as gluing is the most economical means available at the present time, I have shown the said parts glued together, and have indicated on the blank by parallel dotted lines, in Fig. 1 for example, the portions of the blank at which a permanent connection takes place. It is to be understood, however, that the glue may be applied at either or both of the contacting surfaces indicated, and either before or during the folding operation, as may be found most desirable. In forming the knockdown box from the blank, it will be understood that its position will be exactly the reverse to that indicated in Fig. 1, which represents the outer surface of the blank, and I have shown, it in such reversed position in Fig. 2. The reinforcing interior body end walls, 4a, So, will be folded over upon the adjacent exterior walls, 4 and 5, and permanently secured thereto, and in like manner, the reinforcing interior cover end walls, 12a, 13a, will be folded over upon the adjacent cover end walls, 12 and 13, and permanently united thereto. The body end wall sections, 4 and 4a, and 5, 5a, will then be folded over upon the end portions of the inner face of the body bottom section, 1, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 5. This will bring the corner sections of the body over upon the adjacent portions of the exterior body side wall sections, 2 and 3, and the triangular portions, 7, thereof will be permanently united to the adjacent exterior body side wall sections. In like manner the cover end wall sections, 12, 12a, and 13, 130., are folded over upon the inner face of the exterior cover section, in, as indicated in Figs. 2 and i. This carries the corner sections of the cover over upon the inner face of the adjacent exterior cover side section, 11, and the triangular portions, 15, thereof, will be permanently united to the adjacent portions of the exterior cover side section, 11. This condition of the blank is clearly indicated in Fig. 2, in which the points of attachment of the corner sections, 7 and 15, are indicated in parallel dotted lines, but I have not indicated in this figure the points where the interior and exterior end walls of the body and cover are united to each other, as it will be understood that they are not united to the body bottom, 1, and part, 10, respectively, as is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The knockdown box is then folded into compact flat form for shipment, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 6, for example, by folding the sections, 2a, 2b, over upon the adjacent section, 2, by folding the sections, 10, 11 and 17, over upon the sections, 3, 1, and by folding the sections, 18a, 3a and 3b, backward upon the sections 11, 17 and 10, which reduces the size of the knockdown box to about one third of that illustrated in Fig. 2, and leaves it in a very compact form for shipment. Of course it will be understood that the blanks might be shipped flat in the form illustrated in Fig, 2, if this was thought to be desirable, but it will be usually preferable to fold them for shipment in the smaller form indicated in Figs. 3 and 6.

To erect the box from the knockdown position into the contents receiving position,'assumi ng it I to have been folded into the position indicated in Figs. 3 and 6, it is first opened out into the position indicated in Fig. 2. The operator will raise the exterior body side wall sections, 2 and 3, into perpendicular relation to the body bottom section, 1, whereupon the end wall sections, 4, 4a, and 5, 5a, will be automatically raised into perpendicular position, the corner portions, 8, folding on the diagonal lines, 6, upon the corner portions, 7. The body locking side wall section, 2a, is then folded inwardly upon the adjacent corner sections, and the inner face of the adjacent body side wall section, 2, bringing the bottom engaging strip, 2b, into engagement with the bottom, 1, of the box, and the locking projections, 9, are interlocked substantially automatically with the adjacent edges, 4b, 5b, of the interior body end wall sections, 4a and 5a. The cover side wall sections, 11 and 17, are then folded upwardly on the score or line, 10b, into vertical position, thereby raising the cover side walls, 12, 12a and 13, 13a, into position perpendicular to the cover, and causing the corner portions, 16, of the cover to fold upon the adjacent corner portions, 15, as shown in Fig. 7. The interior cover side wall section, 17, is then folded inwardly upon the section 11, and upon the folder corner portions, and the locking projections, 9b, are interlocked with the adjacent edges, 12b and 13b, of the interior cover end wall sections, thus forming a. double wall around three sides of the cover, 10. At the same time the interior cover section, 18, is folded upon the inner surface of the exterior cover section, 10, 111 contact therewith throughout their respective areas, and it only remains to fold the body side wall section, 3a, downwardly into the interior of the box, bringing the bottom engaging section, 3?), into engagement with the bottom, and the locking projections, 9a, into interlocking engagement with the adjacent edges, 41) and 5b, of the interior body end wall sections, ea and be, as shown in Figs. 3, 9 and '10.

As shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the box is now locked in erected position to receive the contents. It will be noted that the exterior surface of the interior cover section, 18, is exposed in proper position to advertise the contents when the cover is raised, and every portion of the box, both on the outside and on the inside which is visible, with the sole exception of the central portion of the body bottom, 1, exposes the outer or. finished face of the blank, and of course the bottom section, 1, is covered by the contents, and where the contents is not of suflicient weight to require reinforcement of the bottom, the central portion thereof may be left as a single ply. It will bethe cover, are all of two plies.

It will be understood, further, that if it is desired, the bottom also can be of two plies throughout, and this is very simply accomplished by increasing the width of one or both of the bottom engaging locking strips, 2b and 3b. In Fig. 11, for example, I have shown the bottom engaging locking strip, 2b, extended almost entirely across the bottom and in contact therewith throughout its entire area to meet the edge of the bottom engaging locking strip, 3!), as an illustration of how this reinforcement of the bottom may be conveniently accomplished.

It is to be further understood that the bottom engaging locking strips, 21), 3b, preferably perform supplemental locking action to that performed by the interlocking engagement of the projections, 9 and 9a, with the adjacent locking edges, db, 5b, and will frictionally engage at their ends the inner surface of the interior body end wall sections, 4a, 5a, if the latter extend entirely to the bottom of the box, or the interior surfaces of the exterior body end wall sections, 4 and 5, having interior body end wall sections. which do not extend entirely to the bottom. This supplemental locking means, i. e., the strips, 2b and 3b, may, however, be omitted if they are found to be unnecessary in a particular box.

After the contents is inserted in the box, the two-ply cover is folded downwardly into the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 10, the double side walls of the cover fitting smoothly and tightly over the double side walls of the box body. This forms an extremely stifi, strong and durable box, and is capable of being substituted for a wooden box for many uses. For example, the particular specimen illustrated in the drawings may be employed for the packaging of cigars, especiallv in .view of the fact that cigars are at ,the present time usually wrapped individually in a cellophane or other substantially air-tight wrapper, and it may also be used for the packaging and transportation of many other forms of merchandise where a particularly strong, stiff and durable box is required. Obviously this box will be found very desirable where the merchandise is sold from the box and where it may be desirable to exhibit the merchandise with the cover rest in a show-case or on a counter, in which case the displayed merchandise will be directly below the inside label printed on the exterior surface of ,the interior cover section, 18. c

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A knockdown double cover box comprising a body consisting of an exterior bottom section, lateral side and end wall sections integral therewith, corner sections integral with the adjacent side and end wall sections and divided diagonally into triangulamportiens foldable upon each other and upon the adjacent wall section, each of said end wall sections being provided with an integral iniolding interior end wall section. one of said body side wall sections being provided with an infolding interior side wall section provided at its ends with portions for interlocking with the interior end wall sections, an exterior cover section directly connected with the outer edge of the other exterior body side wall sections, and provided at its ends with exterior and interior cover end wall sections and at its outer edge with interior and exterior cover side wall. sections foldable upon each other, the

' body, the cover, and the side and end wails of exterior cover section being provided adjacent to its outer edge with integral corner. sections divided diagonally into triangular portions foldable upon each other, an interior cover section having one edge hinged to the outer edge of the interior cover side wall section and adapted to fold upon the inner face of the exterior cover section and lie in contact therewith throughout its entire extent, and an interior body side wall section integral with the opposite edge of the interior cover section and adapted to fold upon the adjacent exterior body side wall section, and provided at its opposite ends with locking portions to interlock with the interior body end wall sections when in the erected position.

2. A knockdown double cover box comprising a body consisting of an exterior bottom section,

lateral side and end wall sections integral therewith, corner sections integral with the adjacent side and end wall sections and divided diagonally into triangular portions foldable upon each other and upon the adjacent wall section, each of said end wall sections being provided with an integral infolding interior end wall section, one of said body side wall sections being provided with an infolding interior side wall section provided at its ends with portions for interlocking with the interior end wall sections, an exterior cover section directly connected with the outer edge of the other exterior body side wall sections, and provided at its ends with exterior and interior cover end wall sections and at its outer edge with interior and exterior cover side wall sections foldable upon each other, the exterior cover section being provided adjacent to its outer edge with integral corner sections divided diagonally into triangular portions foldable upon each other, an interior cover section having one edge hinged to the outer edge of the interior cover side wall section and adapted to fold upon the inner face of the exterior cover section and lie in contact therewith throughout its entire extent, and an interior body side wall section integral with the opposite edge of the interior cover section and adapted to fold upon the adjacent exterior body side wall section, and provided at its opposite ends with locking portions to interlock with the interior body end wall' sections when in the erected position, each of said interior body side wall'sections being provided with bottom engaging portions provided at opposite ends with wedging portions frictionally engaging the opposite end wall sections in the erected position of the box.

3. A knockdown double cover box comprising a body consisting of an exterior bottom section,

lateral end and side wall sections integral therewith, corner sections integral with the adjacent side and end wall sections, divided diagonally into triangular portions foldable upon each other and upon the adjacent side wall section, the triangular portions integral therewith being permanently united thereto, each body end wall section being provided with an inf olding interior body end wall section permanently united to the L exterior body end wall section, and folded therewith upon the bottom section, one of said body side wall sections being provided with an infolding locking section provided at its ends with portions for interlocking with the ends of the interior end wall sections, an exterior cover section directly connected with the outer edge of the other exterior body side wall section, and provided at its ends with exterior and interior cover end wall sections permanently united to each other. and

folded upon the exterior cover section, and provided at its outer edge with interior and exterior cover side wall sections foldable upon each other, and corner sections at the outer edge of the exterior cover section integral with the adjacent exterior cover side and end wall sections, each divided diagonally into triangular portions foldable upon each other and upon the adjacent exterior cover side wall section, the triangular portions integral therewith being permanently united thereto and folded upon the exterior cover section, an interior cover section integral with the exterior cover section having one edge hinged to the outer edge of the interior cover side wall section and foldable upon the inner face of the A knockdown double cover box comprising a body consisting of an exterior bottom section, lateral end and side wall sections integral therewith, corner sections integral with the adjacent side and end Wall sections, divided diagonally into triangular portions foldable upon each other and upon the adjacent side wall section, the triangular portions integral therewith being permanently united thereto, each body end wall section being provided with an infolding interior body end wall section permanently united to the exterior body end wall section, and folded therewith upon the bottom section, one of said body side wall sections being provided with an infolding locking section provided at its ends with portions for interlocking with the ends of the interior end wall sections, an exterior cover section directly connected with the outer edge of the other exterior body side wall section, and provided at its ends with exterior and interior cover end wall sections permanently united to each other and folded upon the exterior cover section, and provided at its outer edge with interior and exterior cover side wall sections foldable upon 'each other, and corner sections at the outer edge of the exterior cover section integral with the adjacent exterior cover side and end wall sec tions, each divided diagonally into triangular portions foldable upon each other and upon the adjacent exterior cover side wallsection, the triangular portions integral therewith being permanently united thereto and folded upon the exterior cover section, an interior cover section integral with the exterior cover section having one edge hinged to the outer edge of the interior cover side wall section and foldable upon the inner face of the exterior cover section in contact therewith throughout its entire extent, and

provided at its opposite edge with an interior body side wall section adapted to engage the inner face of the adjacent exterior body side wall section, and provided at its opposite ends with looking portions to interlock with the interior body end wall sections, each of said interior body side wall sections being provided with a bottom engaging strip provided at each end with wedging portions for frictionallyv engaging the adjacent body end wall sections whereby the box may be instantly erected from the knockdown position :1 to operative, contents receiving position and locked.

RALPH A. GROSS. 

